Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in elderly patients (≥ 70 years) with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A French Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data is available on the feasibility of high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in elderly patients over 70 years of age with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the setting of the Société Française de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire (SFGM-TC) group, we retrospectively analyzed 81 consecutive patients with NHL over 70 years of age who received AHSCT. RESULTS: The median age at AHSCT was 72.3 years [70-80]. Patients' were diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n=40), follicular lymphoma (n=16), mantle cell lymphoma (n=15), T-cell lymphoma (n=5), and other (n=5). Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) was 0 in 73% of patients. Main conditionings were BEAM (Carmustine-Etoposide-Cytarabine-Melphalan, n=61) and melphalan alone (n=14). Median delays to reach 0.5×109/L neutrophils and 20 × 10(9)/L platelets were of 12 [9-76] days and 12 [0-143] days, respectively. One hundred day and one year cumulative incidence of NRM was 5.4% and 8.5%, respectively. The main cause of death remains relapse. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study revealed that AHSCT seemed to be acceptable in patients over 70 years of age with NHL. Patient age is not a limiting factor if clinical condition is adequate.

Deletion of the 1p32 region is a major independent prognostic factor in young patients with myeloma: the IFM experience on 1195 patients.

Deletions of the 1p region appear as a pejorative prognostic factor in multiple myeloma patients (especially 1p22 and 1p32 deletions) but there is a lack of data on the real impact of 1p abnormalities on an important and homogeneous group of patients. To address this issue we studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) the incidence and prognostic impact of 1p22 and 1p32 deletions in 1195 patients from the IFM (Institut Francophone du Myélome) cell collection. Chromosome 1p deletions were present in 23.3% of the patients (271): 15.1% (176) for 1p22 and 7.3% (85) for 1p32 regions. In univariate analyses, 1p22 and 1p32 appeared as negative prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS): 1p22: 19.8 months vs 33.6 months (P<0.001) and 1p32: 14.4 months vs 33.6 months (P<0.001); and overall survival (OS): 1p22: 44.2 months vs 96.8 months (P=0.002) and 1p32: 26.7 months vs 96.8 months (P<0.001). In multivariate analyses, 1p22 and 1p32 deletions still appear as independent negative prognostic factors for PFS and OS. In conclusion, our data show that 1p22 and 1p32 deletions are major negative prognostic factors for PFS and OS for patients with MM. We thus suggest that 1p32 deletion should be tested for all patients at diagnosis.

Treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes with 5q deletion before the lenalidomide era; the GFM experience with EPO and thalidomide.

Anemia in MDS with 5q deletion was generally considered, until the advent of lenalidomide, unresponsive to available treatments. We analyzed erythroid response to erythropoetin (EPO) or darbepoetin (DAR) and thalidomide in MDS with 5q deletion treated by French centers (GFM) and in whom karyotype was successfully performed. Of 345 patients treated with EPO or DAR+/-G-CSF, 48 had 5q deletion. The response rate was 46% (31% major, 15% minor) according to International Working Group (IWG) 2000 criteria versus 64% in patients without 5q deletion (p=0.03). According to IWG 2006 criteria, the response rate in patients with 5q deletion was 39% versus 52% in patients without 5q deletion (p=0.10). Mean duration of response was 14 months versus 25 months (IWG 2000) and 13 months versus 27 months (IWG 2006) in 5q deletion and non-5q deletion patients (p=0.019 and 0.003, respectively). Of 120 MDS treated with thalidomide, all of whom had successful cytogenetic analysis, 37% of the 24 patients with 5q deletion responded (IWG 2000 criteria, 20% major, 17% minor) with a mean duration of 9.5 months, versus 32% (18% major, 14% minor) in MDS without 5q deletion and a mean response duration of 9 months (p=NS). Our results confirm that response rates to EPO or DAR and thalidomide are clearly inferior to those obtained with lenalidomide.

Adjunctive plasma exchanges to treat neuropsychiatric lupus: a retrospective study on 10 patients.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality attributed to lupus activity. Conventional NPSLE treatment combines CS and immunosuppressants, but some symptoms do not respond. We retrospectively evaluated the adjunction of plasma exchanges (PE) to treat 13 NPSLE flares occurring in 10 patients (mean age, 30 years) between 1989 and 2002. NP manifestations were the first SLE symptoms for seven patients, with a mean of 3.2 NP manifestations/flare. All patients received CS and cyclophosphamide pulses. A mean of 15 PE/flare were performed. All patients improved within a mean of 3 (median: 2.5; range: 1.5-8) weeks thereafter. Complete remissions of 7/13 flares were obtained within a mean of 7 (median: 4; range: 2-22) weeks. Partial remissions were achieved for the remaining six flares, characterized by new NP manifestations during three and insufficient control of the others. Other SLE manifestations regressed for all patients with the mean European consensus lupus activity measurement score declining from pretreatment 6.9 to 1.2. A regimen combining CS, cyclophosphamide and PE is effective against severe NPSLE, with acceptable toxicity.

Hydroxyethyl starch-induced renal insufficiency after plasma exchange in a patient with polymyositis and liver cirrhosis.

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a macromolecular preparation that has been used as a volume expander since 1991. Renal toxicity of high-dose HES is now well recognized but potential renal toxicity of low-dose HES is poorly documented. Acute renal toxicity of cyclosporin A (CyA) may be responsible for osmotic nephrosis-like lesions. We report here the case of a 30-year-old male who developed cirrhosis due to hepatitis B and delta viruses and polymyositis. Polymyositis was treated with CyA, prednisone and plasma exchanges using low-dose HES as the replacement fluid. Renal insufficiency occurred with biopsy-proven osmotic nephrosis-like lesions, considered to be secondary to HES infusions and/or CyA.

Neurolymphomatosis in Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

We report four patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia with an unusual neurologic complication, neurolymphomatosis, characterized by meningeal and root nerve infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic cells. Patients presented with rapidly progressive leg proximal weakness. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid disclosed lymphoplasmacytic cells. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine was suggestive of a tissular infiltration of leptomeninges and nerve roots. Chemotherapy and irradiation of involved tissues led to a remarkable and sustained neurological improvement.

The role of autologous stem cell transplantation in the management of multiple myeloma.

In the past 10 years, the concept of dose intensity with autologous hematopoietic stem cell support has modified the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We review here the rationale for high dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in the treatment of myeloma patients, its benefit as compared to standard therapy, indications according to patients' age and clinical status, modalities and optimal timing. We also discuss the future prospects for improvement.

Tumoral joint involvement in multiple myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia--report of 4 cases.

We describe 4 patients, 2 with multiple myeloma and 2 with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, who developed arthritis due to invasion of articular and periarticular structures by malignant cells. Articular manifestations in lymphoplasmacytic disorders are most often related to metabolic or septic complications, sometimes to immunoglobulin deposits, but can also result from tumoral joint involvement.

Capillary microscopy during eosinophilic fasciitis in 15 patients: distinction from systemic scleroderma.

PURPOSE: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a newly recognized syndrome that bears much discussion in regard to its distinction from progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). In vivo microscopic examination of the nailbed capillaries has elicited the description of a characteristic vascular pattern seen in PSS dermatomyositis, and mixed connective tissue disease. To clarify the capillaroscopic aspects of this syndrome and to seek criteria distinguishing it from PSS, we performed nailbed capillary microscopy in 15 patients with EF and compared the results of this examination with those in 98 patients with PSS and those in 75 normal control subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The diagnosis of EF was made in 15 patients aged 25 to 69 years (average 43 years) who had an acute course, with painful edema and subcutaneous sclerotic induration sparing the extremities. There was a peripheral hypereosinophilia in all 15 patients. Twelve underwent muscle or deep cutaneous biopsy, including the fascia. Nine of these had fascial thickening, and an inflammatory cell infiltrate was observed in eight. The diagnosis of PSS was made in 98 patients, according to the usual criteria. Seventy-five normal control subjects were examined. All the capillaroscopic examinations were performed by one observer. RESULTS: None of the patients in the EF group had a scleroderma-like capillaroscopic pattern. Thirteen had normal results of capillary microscopy. Two had a nonspecific organic microangiopathic picture. In the group of 98 patients with PSS, 89 had numerous megacapillaries (p less than 0.001), seven had a nonspecific organic microangiopathic pattern, and two had normal findings (p less than 0.001). In the whole group of 75 control subjects, the features were normal. CONCLUSION: Our results show a clear distinction between the results of capillary microscopy in cases of EF and PSS. The normal pattern in EF seems to be another argument for its differentiation from PSS.

[Ungueal capillaroscopy in fasciitis with eosinophilia: a distinctive feature of systemic scleroderma. Apropos of 15 cases]. / Capillaroscopie unguéale au cours de la fasciite avec éosinophilie: un élément distinctif d'avec la sclérodermie systémique. A propos de 15 cas.

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a recently described disease whose distinction from progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is still being discussed. PSS has a characteristic microcirculation pattern. We performed nailfold microscopy on 15 patients with EF and compared the results to those of 98 PSS patients and 75 normal control subjects. EF patients have a normal microcirculation pattern (13/15) or discrete, non-specific anomalies: none had the typical capillary pattern associated with PSS and associated diseases. The findings of this study justify making a distinction between EF and PSS and demonstrate that nail fold microscopy can be a useful tool for an early differential diagnosis between these two disorders.